PFAS Sites and Areas of Interest
There are two major classes of firefighting foam: Class A and Class B. Class B is also called Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) and is usually created using PFAS. It is a highly effective foam used for fighting high-hazard flammable liquid fires, like gasoline, oil, and jet fuel.
Wastewater Treatment Plants / Industrial Pretreatment Program
Laboratories Offering Home Testing
PFAS MCLs and Drinking Water
Statewide Testing Initiative
Official Correspondence
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Please contact the Site Lead for the most up-to-date status of this site.
Mary Ann St. Antoine, StAntoineM@Michigan.gov or 989-370-8035
Please note that this landfill is CLOSED and does not accept waste.
Central Landfill Authority is located on Hydraulic Falls Road in Iron Mountain and began operation in 1966, taking in municipal waste from the cities of Iron Mountain, Kingsford, Norway, and the townships of Breitung and Iron Mountain. Waste from manufacturing and factories was most likely also disposed of in the landfill. A 1985 study showed impacts to groundwater from the landfill. The landfill was operating unlicensed in 1989 and was closed under a consent order with grant funds in 1990. Because of the impacts to groundwater and the PFAS-containing waste in the landfill, EGLE requested Central Landfill Authority sample for PFAS.
In April 2023, Central Landfill Authority sampled three groundwater monitoring wells. Two wells exceeded PFAS criteria. The highest results were 67 ppt of PFOS (compared to 16 ppt) and 20 ppt of PFOA (compared to 8 ppt).
Beneath the landfill is a thin layer of sediments over slate bedrock. Groundwater flows to the southeast in the sediments. Studies indicate the underlying slate bedrock has large and continuous east-west fractures in the southern part of the landfill in which groundwater flows to the east. This fractured slate is the main aquifer in the area.
Content posted August 2023
See an aerial view of the location of the site.
Most of the area is served by municipal water. EGLE, DHHS, and local health are coordinating sampling of downgradient residential drinking water wells
EGLE, DHHS, and the local health department will evaluate residential well results when received and will conduct additional sampling if necessary.